The effects of water birth on neonatal outcomes: a five-year result of a referral tertiary centre

G. Demirel, O. Moraloglu, I.H. Celik, O. Erdeve, L. Mollamahmutoglu, S.S. Oguz , N. Uras, U. Dilmen

Division of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. kgamze@hotmail.com

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• Obstetrics

OBJECTIVE: As scant information is present about the effect of water birth on newborns, we aimed to detect the fetal outcomes of water birth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred and ninety one among totally 220 newborns who were born by water birth were enrolled. The demographic and clinical features of the patients, birth complications, infection rates and rates of neonatal intensive care unit attendance were evaluated.

RESULTS: The mean gestational week and birth weight were 39.2±1.3 weeks and 3326±409 g. 26% of the mothers was primiparous. Birth trauma was observed in three patients (1.6%) as one brachial nerve paralysis, one cord rupture and one cephal hematoma. Six of the patients (3.1%) were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); four of whom had respiratory tract problems.

CONCLUSIONS: Water birth is a safe method of delivery for the neonates when certain criteria are met.

 

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